Page 62 of It's All About the Duke
“That’s my thought as well.”
Rath opened the gate for her and she walked through, stopping while he secured the latch behind them.
“Second, I don’t believe there is a Mr. Wentfield.”
“What? There has to be. I don’t think Mr. Portington would make up a story about those eggs.”
“I believe there is a real man, but he’s not using his real name. When I asked about Mr. Wentfield, Portington told me the man has moved and no one knows where he is. It’s not unusual for such men to prey on people like Portington who are devoted to their passion, taking them for a large sum of money and then skipping to another town with another name and another worthless artifact to sell.”
“So you don’t believe the eggs are real?”
“I am not an expert in such things.”
Marlena stopped near the steps of the back door. “It’s disturbing to hear you believe he was taken advantage of in that way. And with Eugenia’s money. I just find it hard to believe he’d be so foolish with what was left to her. It wasn’t his money to lose.”
“I know,” he said softly and lifted her chin with the tips of his fingers. Moisture was forming on her black bonnet and her face. “Why don’t we move under the eave of the house? It will shield us a little from the fog, and I’ll tell you more of what he said.”
“All right,” she agreed and, as soon as she’d stepped under the protection of the extended roof, said, “Will he allow you to purchase anything from him so you can help Eugenia?”
“No.” It wasn’t the answer he’d wanted to give her. She was trying so hard to help her friend. He wanted to help her do it. “I tried. He won’t consider selling one piece.”
“Then try harder,” she insisted irritably. “You’re a duke. You are supposed to be able to make people do things they don’t want to do.”
He understood her sharpness and let it pass. “In business, Marlena. In Parliament maybe, but it’s usually because there is a reason for someone to compromise with me. I offer something in exchange for what I want them to give me. Even if I had something Portington wanted, I don’t think he’d do an exchange. He’d just want to buy what I had.”
“No,” she said, refusing to accept defeat so easily.
“Yes.” He gently took hold of her shoulders. “Marlena, I don’t know if I can explain it adequately. It’s as if he considers each piece he has as a part of himself, and his work as saving what’s left of the past for mankind’s future. Valuable or rubbish, I’m certain he’ll never sell any of what he has. The man has cataloged and written about every damned piece of it.”
She remained quiet, clearly upset, so he added, “I can give Eugenia the money to have her—”
“No,” Marlena interrupted. “Don’t say that. You can’t. They’d never accept your help and I wouldn’t want you offer.” Marlena’s lashes lowered and a sigh passed her lips. “Eugenia doesn’t even know about this yet, and I’m certain Veronica would rather her sister not have a Season than to consider your charity.”
He looked at her curiously. “Most people would be happy for a duke to sponsor them.”
“Some. Justine is certainly happy to accept all the gifts you want to bestow on her.”
He rubbed his hands up and down her arms. “So you are still unhappy about the sweets I brought her.”
“Actually, I’d forgotten about that. I was thinking of the carriage that is at her disposal. She thinks it’s divine. Her station in Society has risen considerably and she’s quite pleased to pick up Lady Westerbrook and others and take them for rides in the park.” Marlena paused and shook her head. “I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I know you will do well by me, but the thought of Eugenia not attending the Season is troubling. She needs to have the opportunity to dance and talk with all the gentlemen, too.”
“I understand your compassion for your friend. It’s admirable. Don’t give up hope yet. I had an idea when I was talking to Portington, but nothing I want to discuss until I check into a couple of things.”
Her gaze lifted back to his and she inhaled deeply. “If there’s one thing living with my cousins taught me it was not to give up without a fight. We—that is, Veronica and I—have some ideas, too.”
“What?” he asked, knowing there wasn’t anything a lady could do to earn money.
“Nothing I want to talk about right now, either.”
“I suggest you not do anything rash, Marlena.”
She shook her head slowly and looked down at the ground. “I should have been told that long ago.” She lifted her face and met his gaze. “I shouldn’t have been ill tempered with you, but I’m—”
“Shh,” he whispered. “No need to explain.”
Marlena smiled at him and his heart started pumping as hard as a steam engine he’d recently seen. He’d never tried to hide or deny his attraction to her and he certainly didn’t want to now. There were times a man had to go with his instincts. This was one of them.
“You know what I’m thinking?”
